Against the persecution of a tyrant the godly have no remedy but prayer.
John CalvinRead
In a way, the futile excuses many people use to cover their superstitions are demolished. They think it is enough to have some sort of religious fervor, however ridiculous, not realizing that true religion must be according to God's will as the perfect measure; that He can never deny Himself and is no mere spirit form to be changed around according to individual preference.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True religion is based on God's will, not personal beliefs or superstitions.
In this quote, John Calvin emphasizes that many individuals create excuses for their superstitions and misguided beliefs, mistaking emotional zeal for true religious faith. He argues that authentic religion must align with God's will, which remains constant and cannot be altered to fit human preferences, urging individuals to seek a deeper understanding of true spirituality rather than relying on superficial or subjective interpretations.
Themes
ReligionSuperstitionFaithGodBelief
In practice
Example use cases
In a sermon about the importance of true faith over personal beliefs.
More from John Calvin
All quotes →The pastor ought to have two voices: one, for gathering the sheep; and another, for warding off and driving away wolves and thieves. The Scripture supplies him with the means of doing both.
John CalvinRead
Man is never sufficiently touched and affected by the awareness of his lowly state until he has compared himself with God's majesty.
John CalvinRead
Whomever the Lord has adopted and deemed worthy of His fellowship ought to prepare themselves for a hard, toilsome, and unquiet life, crammed with very many and various kinds of evil.
John CalvinRead
For as the aged, or those whose sight is defective, when any book, however fair, is set before them, though they perceive that there is something written, are scarcely able to make out two consecutive words, but, when aided by glasses, begin to read distinctly, so Scripture, gathering together the impressions of Deity, which, till then, lay confused in our minds, dissipates the darkness, and shows us the true God clearly.
John CalvinRead
When God wants to judge a nation, He gives them wicked rulers.
John CalvinRead
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